This has been the most challenging year of my career
RIDERS HEAD COACH ROB PATERNOSTRO SAYS 2020 IS A YEAR HE WANTS TO FORGET
LEICESTER Riders finished 2020 undefeated in the BBL Championship and through to the semi-finals of the BBL Cup.
But it was a year to forget for head coach Rob Paternostro, who rounded out the calendar year on the sidelines when Riders’ final match of 2020 was postponed.
Visitors Bristol Flyers were just coming off a game against Surrey Scorchers, who subsequently announced a number of positive Covid-19 cases, and that meant Riders’ game against the Flyers on Wednesday, December 23 was also postponed.
“We were very disappointed that game got cancelled,” said Paternostro.
“We had prepared hard all week and the guys were really looking forward to that final game before the Christmas break.
“But we also understand that it is better to make these decisions early, rather than wait and see what happens, and find it spreads further than anyone would want, and we all end up paying for it in the future.
“Yet in spite of all the upheaval we are still there or thereabouts.
“It is no surprise to see Newcastle, London and ourselves making the early running both in the Cup and in the Championship.
“They are teams that on paper look tough, and then we all saw in the Cup group stages that the three clubs were very talented and playing at a high level.
“Being in that group together forced teams to get better quickly and we have seen how those sides have progressed.
“Anyway at least we are getting 2020 over with.
“Without doubt it has been the most challenging of my career.
“There has been nothing like this ever. But it does make you appreciate the game more.
“When basketball was taken away from us in the spring and summer it was a very scary time for all of us.
“As someone who has been involved at the top level of basketball all my life – for thirty some years – it made you really appreciate what you had.
“But now we are back playing it is fun, although we do miss the crowds big time.
“Hopefully, we will soon be back to a more normal situation at some stage in the first half of 2021.
“What we do know is we have a hugely competitive league in the BBL.
“For the fans watching these games it is a lot of fun and exciting.
“The extra import player this season has made a real difference to competitiveness.
“I think there is going to be a lot of twists and turns this season, and we are all going to be looking forward to the play-offs.
“With the top eight places being so competitive, I think BBL play-off basketball in 2021 will be like something we have never seen before. “We are all looking forward to it.”
■ Riders will play London Lions at the Morningside Arena on Sunday (5pm) in their rearranged BBL Championship fixture.
The Lions have stepped in to replace Surrey Scorchers whose squad has been hit by a Covid-19 outbreak.